FORMER Kuala Krau lawmaker Ismail Mohamed Said admitted he threw away rice and other edible items at a garbage disposal site in Temerloh because the food had turned bad.

In a statement, the former deputy home minister said the items were from a stockpile he had prepared for his constituents when he was the Kuala Krau MP. He said he had to dispose of them because their shelf life had expired.

“I take responsibility for and deeply regret this matter. I apologise to all parties for my oversight in monitoring the disposal of these items,” said Kuala Kurau Umno division chief.

The former deputy Dewan Rakyat speaker said the items were not bought with federal or state funds.

The statement comes after photos of sacks of rice, cans of sardines, and boxes of flour dumped at the garbage disposal site went viral. 

In his statement, Ismail explained that he had to clean out his store room after his neighbours complained on April 5 about a rancid smell coming from it.

He noted rat carcasses were found among the stored food items and weevils were found in the bags of rice.

He said some of the rice was handed over to chicken and duck farmers while the rest was sent to the dump. – April 19, 2024.